Good morning Wilmington!

I had a great time attending Molly and her husband Matthew’s Barrels, Bottles, and Brews Networking Group at The Bend in Ogden. It was a pleasure meeting Molly, Matthew, Ben, Jason, Steven, Marlo, Chazz and Rebecca—and chatting about what makes Wilmington such a great place to live and do business.

Molly’s group meets every third Thursday at a different venue, and I’m already looking forward to the next one!

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Republican Rep. Frank Iler Talks

• APEC Reverse Osmosis System

• CFPUA to Conduct Smoke Testing

Brunswick Rep. Frank Iler Talks Water Polluters, HOAs, and Fishery Fights

[WHQR] In a conversation with WHQR, Republican Rep. Frank Iler of Brunswick County discussed several key bills he worked on during a busy legislative week. Chief among them is a PFAS liability bill designed to hold Chemours financially accountable for contaminating public water supplies—potentially reimbursing Brunswick County's $150 million investment in clean water systems. Iler also touched on HOA reform efforts, a foster care bill regarding trans youth, and marine fishing regulations—specifically opening seasons for flounder and red snapper to support local fisheries.

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Wilmington folks know clean water is a must

We living in the Port City all have a certain things in common:

• We enjoy live music and good food.

• We love living in this special gem of a town.

• We love the feeling of arriving home to our charming little (but expanding) airport, ILM

• We are all very concerned about our drinking water

Like many, we got serious about our water after the GenX headlines and Dark Waters film. At first, we used Crystal Springs delivery—but long-term, that gets pricey.

After researching reverse osmosis systems (especially this Duke study), we landed on the APEC ROES-100 water filter systemI. It’s been a great investment—reliable, easy to maintain, and gives us peace of mind.

CFPUA to Conduct Smoke Testing in Myrtle Grove, Pine Valley and Surrounding Areas

[CFPUA] CFPUA will begin smoke testing sewer lines on Saturday, May 17, starting in the Waterford neighborhood of Myrtle Grove, then expanding to multiple neighborhoods like Pine Valley Drive and Johnson Farms. The non-toxic smoke helps crews locate cracks or breaks in underground sewer pipes. Testing will occur on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and affected residents will receive notices. The testing poses no health risks, and sewer services will not be interrupted.

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News Roundup

Local News

• Oak Island has issued purple and yellow flag warnings due to dangerous water conditions, including rip currents and Portuguese man-o-wars. Beachgoers are urged to stay alert as stings from man-o-wars can be severe. WECT

• After a long legal battle, Allison Riggs has officially been sworn in as a North Carolina Supreme Court justice. Her narrow victory by 734 votes was finally certified after a federal judge ordered the Board of Elections to confirm the results. WRAL

• Wilmington Police have unveiled a new explosive containment vessel to safely transport dangerous materials. The equipment upgrade boosts safety during emergencies involving explosives or hazardous packages. WWAY

• New Hanover County deputies are urging car owners to lock their vehicles following a string of break-ins. The Sheriff’s Office shared tips to reduce theft risk, including removing valuables from sight. WWAY

What You Should Know

• The NOAA is scrambling to hire forecasters ahead of what could be a record-breaking hurricane season. The agency is short on experienced meteorologists, raising concerns about accurate storm predictions. MSN

• James Comey is under investigation over an Instagram post perceived as a threat to Donald Trump. Federal officials are assessing whether the cryptic message crossed a legal line. NBC News

• A veteran air traffic controller averted a midair collision over Newark and is now speaking out about systemic FAA failures. He says staffing shortages and outdated technology are pushing workers to the brink. Wall Street Journal

What Might Surprise You

• A second major U.S. airport experienced a dangerous outage, cutting communication between pilots and air traffic controllers. Up to 20 planes were impacted over Denver in a near-disaster that’s raising national alarm. The Sun

• A former border patrol agent has released never-before-seen footage of a cigar-shaped UFO flying near Arizona in 2020. The object, recorded by a CBP reconnaissance plane, had no visible wings, heat signature, or propulsion system, raising questions about its origin and technology. Daily Maill

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